The travelling man

There's nothing quite like a spontaneous adventure, so when I was asked last minute if I could escort some students to London on Friday, it seemed like I was being presented with an opportunity. There was even a bit of petty cash involved for 'sustenance', so I prepared for the hussle of the city with a quiet moment of calm in my favourite coffee shop, before connecting with the team at the station.

 

I'm reading a fantastic book called The Bond, so once everyone was seated and settled on the train, I was soon lost in a world of climbing in Alaska. Three or so hours later, the students had been delivered to their respective parents, and I was left standing amid the madness of Euston Station, London.

 

The nice thing about London is the ease of transport - as long as your happy with the fact that it takes 'about an hour' to get to any particular point. With no particular agenda, I strolled care free for a short distance, browsing some shops, did a few errands and burnt through a bit more of the 'petty cash' on an insanely expensive fruit smoothie. A few train rides later and I eventually ended up at the fine establishment that is the Mee family residence. After perusing the wine cellar, and selecting a suitably expensive looking bottle, dinner was swiftly produced and a fine evening of nattering and giggles ensued before I was escorted to the guest house where a deep sleep came quickly.

 

Some early morning playtime with the little dudes, a bit of breakfast and it was back on the train and into the grey London morning, checking out a few of the famous sights along the way.

 

 

The last of the 'petty cash' was exchanged for more 'sustnence' as I got to the hub of London travel.

Through a packed terminal and squeezing between the throng of passengers, then onto the little used Platform 18, at the very far end of the station - where the crowds were nowhere to be seen - on the 'way out' of the City; known also as the 'train to Wales'!

Mid afternoon, the skies had cleared and I was back at The Cottage feeling a little dazed.

 

To clear out my lungs from the city smoke, we went and skipped some stones down by the river in a lovely afternoon light. Clare won at river basket ball with some impressive shooting skills.

 

Then if things hadn't been busy enough, we went out with friends to a fantastic gig by a guy called Gecko and some other 'spoken word poets' who were also amazingly good/skilled/funny. Really talented people and great live entertainment. - if you get the chance, go and see them.

It's hard to know what day it is now, but it's the start of the School half-term holidays. A week of mountaineering in Scotland has been cancelled, so I am suddenly without a fixed agenda. It's kind of lucky in a way, as the forecast looks poor for Scotland anyway. Another opportunity is arising - I'm sure we'll make the most of it and think of something to do instead....